(Chinhphu.vn) - On January 15, in Hanoi, the Ministry of Information and Communications hosted the annual National Forum on the Development of Vietnam's Digital Technology Enterprises for the sixth time, with the theme "Mastering Digital Technology, Leading Vietnam's Digital Transformation with Vietnamese Digital Technology Enterprises." General Secretary Tô Lâm attended and delivered a keynote speech at the forum.

Also in attendance were comrades: Nguyễn Hòa Bình, Politburo Member and Permanent Deputy Prime Minister; Nguyễn Duy Ngọc, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chief of the Party Central Office; Lê Hoài Trung, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Head of the Central Committee for External Relations; along with members of the Party Central Committee, leaders of ministries, departments, central and local agencies.

The forum was attended by representatives of domestic research and training organizations; associations in the field of information technology; digital technology enterprises under the "Make in Vietnam" initiative; experts in digital technology; economic-trade organizations, research and training institutions; several diplomatic organizations; multinational digital technology corporations; and representatives of foreign investors in Vietnam.

At the forum, numerous discussions were held on orientations, policies, and solutions for future development in the semiconductor industry and artificial intelligence; the establishment of breakthrough institutions and policies to provide incentives, support, and mobilize collective strength for the growth of digital technology enterprises; and proposals for research solutions and mastering digital technology to accelerate Vietnam’s digital transformation revolution and enable the country to make significant breakthroughs in the new era.

Efforts for self-reliance, technological autonomy, and strategic technology development

Speaking at the forum, General Secretary Tô Lâm emphasized that in the context of globalization and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, digital technology has been and continues to be a key driver in promoting economic and social development. Digital transformation is not only an inevitable trend but also an urgent requirement for Vietnam to narrow the development gap with the region and the world. At the same time, digital transformation is a long-term strategic endeavor that enhances national competitiveness and strengthens Vietnam’s position on the global economic map. However, achieving these goals requires strong commitment from the government, cooperation from businesses, and active participation from workers and the entire population.

The General Secretary expressed his delight at the remarkable growth of Vietnam’s digital technology sector in recent years. The digital technology startup ecosystem is expanding, and the country's digital technology industry has become one of the key economic sectors, making significant contributions to economic growth and sustainable development.

On behalf of the Party and State leadership, he congratulated and commended the Vietnamese digital technology business community for their relentless efforts and achievements. He highly appreciated the contributions and roles of Vietnamese digital enterprises in creating innovative products and solutions applied in various fields, from manufacturing to services, strongly driving the national digital transformation process, improving growth quality, and enhancing people's lives.

The General Secretary also candidly pointed out the limitations that need to be addressed to ensure the robust development of digital technology and national digital enterprises. The development of digital technology remains uneven across regions, with some localities facing significant challenges in adopting and implementing technology, leading to disparities in digital access and usage. Digital infrastructure is also a major challenge, as many areas still lack adequate investment in modern technology, affecting nationwide connectivity capabilities.

In line with Resolution No. 57, likened to the "Khoán 10" policy in agriculture, the General Secretary suggested that in the coming period, the sector and digital technology enterprises must strive for technological self-reliance and the development of strategic technologies, which are the foundation for building an independent and self-sufficient economy. Strong investments should be made in modern, high-capacity, high-bandwidth, and internationally standardized technology infrastructure to facilitate nationwide connectivity and digital economic development.

General Secretary Tô Lâm and the winners of the "Make in Vietnam 2024" Digital Technology Product Awards

Strengthening the development of the digital technology ecosystem

The General Secretary emphasized the need to enhance policies for attracting high-tech talent, building an attractive working environment, and supporting scientific research and innovation to strengthen domestic capabilities and create globally leading digital technology enterprises. The development of a robust digital technology ecosystem requires close collaboration between businesses, universities, research institutes, and support organizations. Step by step, key areas of the digital economy, such as digital government, the digital economy, and digital society, should be established and developed. Digital technology enterprises should be encouraged to develop technological solutions applicable to state management, improve public service quality, promote electronic transactions, and enhance public access to information technology.

The General Secretary called for efforts to elevate Vietnam’s global competitiveness, aiming to position Vietnam among the top three Southeast Asian countries in digital technology research and development by 2030 and to establish at least five major digital technology enterprises capable of competing internationally. Each digital technology enterprise should set ambitious development goals and continuously improve both the quantity and quality of its workforce. Strengthened cooperation with leading global technology organizations and enterprises should be fostered to attract more digital technology research and production organizations to Vietnam. At the same time, Vietnamese enterprises should be enabled to participate in global value chains and expand their digital technology products to international markets.

General Secretary Tô Lâm and delegates attending the 6th National Forum on the Development of Vietnam's Digital Technology Enterprises

Vietnamese digital technology enterprises need greater unity, determination, and ambition. They must recognize that this is not just an opportunity but also a responsibility to contribute to realizing the grand objectives set forth by the Party and the State in Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW. Digital enterprises should focus on developing breakthrough products and services that provide real value to the people and the economy, meeting the demands of both domestic and international markets. They must leverage their intelligence, human resources, and innovative entrepreneurial spirit—along with Vietnam’s resilient spirit—to drive the nation’s robust development in the new era.

The Ministry of Information and Communications, as the leading government body overseeing the digital technology industry, has the responsibility to guide and shape development, creating favorable conditions for the strong growth of digital technology enterprises. It must address existing limitations, closely coordinate with ministries, sectors, and localities to formulate policies, promote advanced technology applications, and improve digital infrastructure while enhancing the competitiveness of Vietnam's digital technology sector. Focus should be placed on developing high-quality human resources, encouraging research and development, and building a sustainable digital technology ecosystem.